Robbins' crowd ready for redemption

EACH day of Bluesfest has been strong enough to stand on its own and day three was no different.

US actor-musician Tim Robbins and The Rogues Gallery Band drew one of the biggest crowds of the Jambalaya stage so far this year.

Robbins’ star power seemed the biggest drawcard as mutterings of his hit movie the Shawshank Redemption could be heard among the crowd.

Robbins did manage to hold his own as frontman while he wore his influences on his sleeve covering the Johnny Cash classic Folsom Prison Blues.

Stepping away from the blues and into some psychedelic rock, Wolfmother rocked the Mojo stage like it was 1969.

Frontman and guitarist Andrew Stockdale and bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres are in a battle of the afros, with Peres looking to come out on top.

During the set Stockdale told the crowd the band hadn’t played Bluesfest for five years, but “this time would be much better”.

The set kicked off with New Moon Rising, but exploded when Joker and the Thief tore through the moshing crowd.

Finishing off the Saturday night was festival director Peter Noble’s pick of the bunch, American R&B soul man John Legend.

With the help of three attractive backing singers and a faultless band, Legend wooed the audience with his charisma.

Rebecca Bozzetto, of Brisbane, managed to bring Legend to his knees as they danced on stage to Slow Dance.

“Slow Dance is my absolute favourite song of all time,” Ms Bozzetto said later.

A friend in the audience captured the experience on film, which Ms Bozzetto said she would be using as proof to friends who couldn’t make the festival. She also managed to sneak a kiss from Legend, which she said was “incredible”.

“Seeing him in concert would have been enough, but dancing with him was an absolute bonus. He’s my favourite artist of all time,” she said.